Public Hearing Notice - MRSS Rule (O.A.C. 5122-29-14)

Pursuant to section 119.03 of the Ohio Revised Code, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) will hold a public hearing for the purpose of accepting testimony on the proposed changes to the mobile response and stabilization service (MRSS) rule, O.A.C. 5122-29-14. Because LSC has a policy that when an agency amends approximately more than 50% of a rule, the agency must rescind the existing rule and enact a new rule bearing the same rule number, OhioMHAS is using the “rescind/new” technique with this rule.

The public hearing will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 13, 2025, in Room 3688 of the Rhodes State Office Tower located at 30 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, 36th Floor. At this hearing, OhioMHAS will accept verbal and written testimony on the rule under consideration. The hearing may also be accessed via Microsoft Teams. A copy of the new proposed rule, a summary of the major changes from the current rule, and a public hearing notice with how to access the hearing via Microsoft Teams, is available from OhioMHAS's pending rules web site: https://mha.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/mha/about-us/rules-and-regulations/rules/pending-rules/mobile-response-and-stabilization-service-mrss or the blue button, below.

The hearing will be conducted in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code. Any person affected by the rule may appear and be heard in person, by his or her attorney, or both; may present his or her position, arguments, or contentions, orally or in writing; offer and examine witnesses; and present evidence tending to show that the rules, if adopted or effectuated, will be unreasonable or unlawful.

Persons may also submit written testimony in lieu of appearing at the public hearing. Written testimony sent by mail shall be postmarked no later than the day of the hearing. Written testimony transmitted by email shall be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the hearing. Written testimony may be mailed to: Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Bureau of Legal Services, Attn: Lisa Musielewicz, 30 East Broad Street, 36th Floor, Columbus, Ohio, 43215-3430; or emailed to [email protected]. 

Pending Rules Posting

CareSource Workforce Wellness: Professional Development Series

As a reminder, CareSource and the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (MCADAMHS) Board developed a partnership with the goal to support the workforce. Through this partnership, we are offering professional development training to licensed and paraprofessionals across all healthcare industries at no cost. We look forward to seeing you throughout 2025!

To attend the upcoming trainings, register here:

• Wellness Simplified: Eight Dimensions of Wellness (02-18-25) VIRTUAL Tickets, Tue, Feb 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite
• Fundamentals in Healthcare: 2SLGBTQIA+ (03-20-25) VIRTUAL Tickets, Thu, Mar 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

All sessions will include CEs for Counselor, Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapists and Ohio Chemical Dependency & Prevention Board. These CEs can also be used for Nursing credits by submitting to the Ohio Nursing Board.

To register, please use the QR Code on the attached flyer. For questions, contact Stephanie Stitt at [email protected].

Expanding Access to Mental Health Supports Would Help the Economy, According to New Report

Increasing access to mental health services would boost the economy, according to a new study. The cost of untreated mental health challenges to the U.S. economy is nearly $300 billion — mainly due to lost productivity and higher health care expenditures, according to a new study from the Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers. “The economic toll of untreated mental health and substance use disorders is quite staggering, with wide ranging effects on the labor market outcomes, productivity and overall economic growth,” Teresa Lampl, CEO of the Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Service Providers, said Thursday during a press conference. “Untreated mental health issues lead to high rates of absenteeism, decreased productivity and reduced production. "Improving access to mental health supports would add an additional $53 billion in economic output nationally, according to the study.

Grant Award Wednesday - OneOhio Recovery Foundation Announces 27 New Grant Awards 

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation announced it has awarded more than $3.5 million in grants to support 27 projects across the state to help combat substance misuse by supporting prevention, treatment and recovery efforts across Ohio.

“With the start of a new year comes renewed promise for the future, and we’re pleased to support these organizations working to deliver hope to individuals and families across the state,” said Alisha Nelson, executive director of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation. “These investments are significant and we’re confident they’ll make a tangible impact as we continue our fight against addiction.”

Note: Grants announced should not be considered an exhaustive list.

These 27 new grant awards are part of more than $51 million allocated for the 2024 Regional Grant Cycle and were selected from 1,442 funding requests totaling $581 million from organizations statewide. Grantees were chosen in a collaborative process that included input from the OneOhio Regions, Expert Panel, Grant Oversight Committee and Board of Directors.

Additionally, the OneOhio Recovery Foundation’s Board of Directors has given preliminary approval for more than 20 additional grant awards. This approval authorizes Foundation staff to negotiate grant agreements with recipient organizations, and awards are publicly announced once grantee organizations complete the grant verification process. Several grant recommendations remain in the review process.

Grant Award Wednesdays will continue, as needed, until all grant awards are announced. A complete list of recipients can be found at OneOhioFoundation.com/GrantAwards.

The 2024 Regional Grant Cycle is just the first of several grant opportunities to come. Organizations and leaders seeking to submit applications in the future can sign-up on the Foundation’s website here to receive updates.